Development of planar patch-clamp electrophysiology to investigate liposome-based artificial nanosensor devices. This project aims to characterise the interaction of transport proteins with unsupported lipid bilayer membranes. This will provide the basis for a novel biosensor utilising mechanosensitive ion channels incorporated into an artificial lipid bilayer membrane. To support this outcome, the project will develop the planar patch-clamp electrophysiology recording techniques suitable for l ....Development of planar patch-clamp electrophysiology to investigate liposome-based artificial nanosensor devices. This project aims to characterise the interaction of transport proteins with unsupported lipid bilayer membranes. This will provide the basis for a novel biosensor utilising mechanosensitive ion channels incorporated into an artificial lipid bilayer membrane. To support this outcome, the project will develop the planar patch-clamp electrophysiology recording techniques suitable for liposomes. This provides a significant PhD training opportunity and brings an international focus to the development of planar patch-clamp electrophysiology in Australia. The project has significant commercial potential by developing both the planar patch-clamp electrophysiology techniques for liposomes and producing a novel biomimetic mechanosensitive biosensor.Read moreRead less
Devices that use Ion Channels. The proposed device would supply the community of researchers in Australia and internationally with new techniques to enable them to quickly and conveniently investigate properties of ion channels and to speed the screening of potential ion channel targets for pharmaceutical hits and leads. In addition, the tethered membrane technology will be developed to fill an unmet need for a quick and biologically relevant test of EMC hazards. This will enhance the science an ....Devices that use Ion Channels. The proposed device would supply the community of researchers in Australia and internationally with new techniques to enable them to quickly and conveniently investigate properties of ion channels and to speed the screening of potential ion channel targets for pharmaceutical hits and leads. In addition, the tethered membrane technology will be developed to fill an unmet need for a quick and biologically relevant test of EMC hazards. This will enhance the science and technology infrastructure within Australia, taking it into original and exciting directions, contribute to training young Australian scientists and students, as well as enhance Australia's competitive position in the field of nanobiotechnology.Read moreRead less
The photonic immunochip: retrieving individual Enzyme-linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) array-units using optical waveguide multicolour fluorescence. Improving the sensitivity and availability of in-vitro immuno-diagnostic tests is a critical goal towards developing real time efficient tools for the detection of infectious diseases, cancers, allergies and auto-immune diseases. The goal is to increase the sensitivity of these tests by reducing background noise that has been a feature of the com ....The photonic immunochip: retrieving individual Enzyme-linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) array-units using optical waveguide multicolour fluorescence. Improving the sensitivity and availability of in-vitro immuno-diagnostic tests is a critical goal towards developing real time efficient tools for the detection of infectious diseases, cancers, allergies and auto-immune diseases. The goal is to increase the sensitivity of these tests by reducing background noise that has been a feature of the commonly used ELISA technology. This will be achieved by developing a novel optical integrated waveguide array supporting a large range of distributed tests, including several based on a novel multi-colour detection scheme. This massively parallel approach will underpin a new generation of low-cost, efficient diagnostic tests.Read moreRead less
Developing vehicle-based advanced warning countermeasures for driver fatigue. Driver fatigue is a major problem in Australia in terms of health, road safety and economic impact. Countermeasures to combat the influence of driver fatigue have been limited to public campaign strategies like resting every 2 hours. There has been little robust research on developing on-road countermeasures that could warn the driver of their fatigue status. This proposed project involves a collaboration with Compumed ....Developing vehicle-based advanced warning countermeasures for driver fatigue. Driver fatigue is a major problem in Australia in terms of health, road safety and economic impact. Countermeasures to combat the influence of driver fatigue have been limited to public campaign strategies like resting every 2 hours. There has been little robust research on developing on-road countermeasures that could warn the driver of their fatigue status. This proposed project involves a collaboration with Compumedics Ltd, a leading medical device company, to conduct sophisticated research into developing an EEG and wheel behaviour fatigue countermeausure. We will further explore EEG and wheel behaviour patterns associated with fatigue, investigate noise control strategies, and conduct laboratory and on road field trials of the fatigue monitor. If this device is able to assess fatigue reliably and warn drivers in sufficient time to avert accidents, then substantial economic and social benefits will occur.Read moreRead less
Advanced Space-Time Coded Multiuser Wireless Communications via Test-bed Development. Meeting the global demand for mobile and wireless communications depends critically on reliable and high rate data transfer. Unfortunately, communications medium idiosyncrasies pose formidable challenges. Very recently, in combatting this, major breakthroughs have been achieved whereby the use of multiple antennas allows for drastic data-rate increases. These advances use sophisticated Space-Time coding metho ....Advanced Space-Time Coded Multiuser Wireless Communications via Test-bed Development. Meeting the global demand for mobile and wireless communications depends critically on reliable and high rate data transfer. Unfortunately, communications medium idiosyncrasies pose formidable challenges. Very recently, in combatting this, major breakthroughs have been achieved whereby the use of multiple antennas allows for drastic data-rate increases. These advances use sophisticated Space-Time coding methods, and while they are causing great excitement in terms of their simulation performance, it is not clear how they will perform in practice, or in fact how they are to be realistically implemented. This project will address this issue by building a world-first testbed that implements a high rate wireless communications system using Space-Time and other coding methods.Read moreRead less
Digitally Assisted Power Amplifier Design with Enhanced Energy Efficiency. The project aims to advance design techniques for power amplifiers operating in the recently allocated spectrum for 5G New Radio, from approximately 24 GHz to 52 GHz. The intended outcome is a compact and high efficiency transmitter using digitally assisted power amplifier design techniques in low-cost Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Such innovation will have significant impacts on our daily lif ....Digitally Assisted Power Amplifier Design with Enhanced Energy Efficiency. The project aims to advance design techniques for power amplifiers operating in the recently allocated spectrum for 5G New Radio, from approximately 24 GHz to 52 GHz. The intended outcome is a compact and high efficiency transmitter using digitally assisted power amplifier design techniques in low-cost Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Such innovation will have significant impacts on our daily life, as it will build the hardware foundation for the next generation of wireless systems. Consequently, various emerging applications such as virtual/augmented reality will be supported, maintaining national leadership in the development of wireless technology, and providing economic benefits for Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Reconciliation strategies for continuous variable quantum key distribution. This project aims to advance a novel key distribution method, called quantum key distribution, which distributes secure keys using the quantum state of optical channels. Key distribution is a foundational part of data security, allowing digital keys to be securely exchanged between two or more parties, before they are used to protect and share information. The expected outcome is new rateless error correction codes desi ....Reconciliation strategies for continuous variable quantum key distribution. This project aims to advance a novel key distribution method, called quantum key distribution, which distributes secure keys using the quantum state of optical channels. Key distribution is a foundational part of data security, allowing digital keys to be securely exchanged between two or more parties, before they are used to protect and share information. The expected outcome is new rateless error correction codes designed specifically to implement quantum key distribution over long distances. Quantum key distribution is beneficial for ultra-secure communications as it avoids the vulnerability to weak random numbers and quantum-computing brute force attacks that currently threated the security of data protected by existing methods. Read moreRead less
Tools and techniques for cost effective creation of new, reliable and efficient microwave transistors for millimetre wave and wireless applications. Shifting the circuit design paradigm to the requirements of a circuit will provide a low-cost design solution for application with tight size, performance and lifetime constraints. This will enhance the international competitiveness of Mimix Broadband in the microwave wireless, aerospace, and radar markets, which will contribute to Australia's high ....Tools and techniques for cost effective creation of new, reliable and efficient microwave transistors for millimetre wave and wireless applications. Shifting the circuit design paradigm to the requirements of a circuit will provide a low-cost design solution for application with tight size, performance and lifetime constraints. This will enhance the international competitiveness of Mimix Broadband in the microwave wireless, aerospace, and radar markets, which will contribute to Australia's high performance circuit design sector. New knowledge and skilled researchers provided by this project will foster growth of the microwave and wireless industry. The local research community will be advantaged in international reputation and in its efforts to develop future high performance wireless systems.Read moreRead less
Optimising dissolved air flotation (DAF) for algae removal by bubble modification in drinking water and advanced wastewater systems. Algal blooms in potable water reservoirs and advanced wastewater treatment lagoons can impact the performance and economic viability of water treatment processes resulting in taste and odour episodes and the risk of algal toxins as well as causing further limitation to already stressed water resources in Australia. This project aims to develop an adaptation of the ....Optimising dissolved air flotation (DAF) for algae removal by bubble modification in drinking water and advanced wastewater systems. Algal blooms in potable water reservoirs and advanced wastewater treatment lagoons can impact the performance and economic viability of water treatment processes resulting in taste and odour episodes and the risk of algal toxins as well as causing further limitation to already stressed water resources in Australia. This project aims to develop an adaptation of the dissolved air flotation process that is already used for algae treatment that will provide a more robust, economic and sustainable barrier to algal cells in accordance with the Australian Drinking and Recycled Water Guidelines.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of Activated Carbon Supported Zero Valent Iron Nanoparticles and Application to Contaminant Degradation in Benthic Sediments. Sediment contamination is a major problem in harbours and estuaries around Australia. For example, in Sydney Harbour, a total fishing ban has been implemented as a result of excessive levels of dioxins and benzofurans in fish tissues. There is also concern at the possibility of large scale contamination of Botany Bay as a result of historic industrial activity a ....Synthesis of Activated Carbon Supported Zero Valent Iron Nanoparticles and Application to Contaminant Degradation in Benthic Sediments. Sediment contamination is a major problem in harbours and estuaries around Australia. For example, in Sydney Harbour, a total fishing ban has been implemented as a result of excessive levels of dioxins and benzofurans in fish tissues. There is also concern at the possibility of large scale contamination of Botany Bay as a result of historic industrial activity around the Bay. While dredging and on-land treatment of sediments is being adopted at the most severely contaminated sites, the cost of this approach is exorbitant. For sites where removal of contaminated sediments cannot be justified, the approach proposed in this study of a technology that entraps contaminants and enhances their in situ biodegradation is potentially a way forward.Read moreRead less